Muzzle the Ox

 

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I get this verse a lot to justify money paid for ministry. What does it really mean?

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7 Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?

9 For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about? 1 Cor 9:7-9

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Questions:

Is the fruit money? Is the milk money? Is the grain money?

Is the Word of God money?

Does the person who plants and harvests  eat ALL the harvest, or just what can fit in his stomach?

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What does this NOT mean?

The argument against reaping material reward. Notice that he can ask for reward, but for the higher good, he does not.:

11 If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things?

12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more?  Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. 1 Cor 9:11-13

Old Testament pattern

13 Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar?

14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. 1 Cor 9:13-14(referring to free will offerings, not salary)

New Testament pattern

15 But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void.

16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!

17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. 1 Cor 9:15-17

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What is the reward then?

18 What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.  1 Cor 9: 18

So, the reward for preaching the gospel is actually presenting the gospel without charge.

Imagine that.

Paul considers preaching the gospel is reward enough.

It is a privilege and a duty!

Notice he refuses money.

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Striving for a Crown

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.  1 Cor 9: 24-25

So we preach the gospel for the gospel’s sake, to win souls for Christ / Yahshua.

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And we strive to obtain an imperishable crown, which we will later cast at Messiah’s feet in heaven as we give Him all the glory.

The glory and reward in preaching the gospel is the joy (crown) of giving this glory to God.

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